Now on Twitter

Strawberry Pollinating Insects

Many strawberry growers stock honey bees or even bumble bees to help supplement pollination; however, many native insects are often present that may be even more efficient strawberry pollinators than honey bees. Below is a list of insects that can be observed at strawberry flowers in North Carolina. While some species may pollinate for food, others may be pollinating by incidentally moving between flowers.

Managed bees:

Apis mellifera (Honey bee):

Honey bee visiting strawberry flower. Photo: Jeremy Slone

Generalist feeder, capable of long distance foraging (1500+ meters).

Continuous hive nesting with overlapping generations, and divisions of labor based on age.

Eusocial – one queen and thousands of workers.

Bombus impatiens and B. bimaculatus (Bumble bees):

Bumble bee at strawberry flower. Photo: Jeremy Slone

Generalist feeder, capable of long distance foraging (1500+ meters).

Hive nesting with often only a single generation per year.

Only a newly mated queen survives through the winter, the rest of the colony dies.

Eusocial – one queen and hundreds of workers.

Wild bees:

Many wild bees may pollinate strawberries. In general, wild bees have an average foraging range of 500 m, are smaller than honey or bumble bees, and often construct nests near the site of their emergence.

Wild bee. Photo: Jeremy Slone

Wild bee species known to forage on strawberries in the eastern United States include:

Andrena nasonii:

Andrena nasonii. Photo: Sam Droege

Generalist, ground nesting bee.

Nests of Andrenid bees are often found near edges of woods or glades.

Typically active in early spring (March-July).

Eggs are laid in the spring and typically hatch into adults which stay underground until the following spring.

Solitary – each female has her own nest, often near other nests in an aggregation.

Non bee pollinators

Many other insects in addition bees serve as pollinators. Some of the other pollinating insects observed in strawberries are:

Hoverflies (Syrphid fly) (Toxomerus marginatus and Syritta pipiens):

Syrphid fly adult (Family: Syrphidae). Photo: Jeremy Slone

Syrphid fly adult (Family: Syrphidae). Photo: Jeremy Slone

Butterflies (Vanessa virginiensis):

Butterfly adult (Family: Nymphalidae). Photo: Jeremy Slone

Predators and pests as pollinators?

Predatory insects may not serve primarily as pollinators in strawberries, but they may contribute to pollination when seeking prey or other food in flowers. Predatory insects observed on strawberry flowers include:

Lady beetles and their larvae (Coleomegilla maculata):

Lady bug adult (Family: Coccinellidae). Photo: Jeremy Slone

Lady bug larva (Family: Coccinellidae). Photo: Jeremy Slone

Soldier beetles (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus):

Soldier beetle adult (Family: Cantharidae). Photo: Jeremy Slone

Big eye bugs (Geocoris spp.):

Big eye bug (Family: Geocoridae). Photo: Jeremy Slone

Pests feeding on or near flowers may also contribute to pollination. Some of the pest insects observed in strawberry flowers include:

About Extension

NC State Extension is the largest outreach program at NC State University.
Based in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, we reach millions of
North Carolina citizens each year through local centers in the state's 100 counties
and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Learn More

Social Media Accounts

Let's Stay In Touch email

We have several topic based e-mail newsletters that are sent out periodically when we have new information to share. Want to see which lists are available? Subscribe By Emailchevron_right

About Entomology – Insect Biology and Management

NC State University Entomology extension faculty and staff work with county field faculty, growers, consultants, and the public across the state in solving insect problems through research based and environmentally sound practices.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University are collectively committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability.